This is a log of the radio series Suspense as complied by classic radio collector and professional voice artist Keith Scott of Australia. It is the result of more than 40 years of research.
Suspense was aired from 1942 to 1962, making it the longest-running dramatic anthology program of the "golden age of radio." The series was known for its production quality, and, for many years, its unique casting of Hollywood stars in out-of-character roles. That against-type casting had comedians and musical stars in hard-hitting dramatic roles that they never were able to portray on the screen. While the casting was innovative, so were the effective use of music, pioneering efforts in effects, crisp writing and editing, that coalesced into fast-paced and intriguing stories, especially in its Hollywood heydays of 1943-1954. As the movie, music, and other stars migrated to television, Suspense maintained its quality, relying on veteran radio professionals in its casts and production leadership, still producing memorable programming.
In this document, Scott recognizes and notes the assistance of many fellow collectors and researchers over the decades who contributed to the research and this publication. He had access to many private research interviews, and conducted many of his own, with producers, directors, actors, effects artists, and others who participated in the program or influenced its production. This publication makes the some of information gained from those resources available to listeners and collectors for the very first time.
The document includes an overview of the series (14,000+ words in length) and a log of the 944 episodes of the series that includes dates of broadcast, casts, plot summaries, and other important (and entertaining) details. Background of some of the recorded or planned broadcasts that were never aired are also included. Important details of the series audition in 1940 and the role of Alfred Hitchcock in the development of
Suspense will be new to many classic radio fans.
The publication date is July 2021. This document has been posted to Internet Archive with the permission of Mr. Scott to assist researchers and listeners in their enjoyment of the series.
Keith is a professional voice artist and impressionist who idolized and studied many of the US radio actors. In the 1970s and 1980s he was able to meet and know many of the actors blessed with such distinctive voices in his many trips to Hollywood for adding voice to animated features and commercials.
Like many collectors of recordings from "the golden age of radio," Keith ranks Suspense as one of radio's best and and entertaining series. Its backstory is an interesting and engaging reflection of the radio business, entertainment history, and the events and social conditions of its time. Few radio programs survived these changes and the technological advances in broadcast communications and recording the way, though sometimes rocky, that Suspense did.
This is a valuable contribution that many other researchers will be able to use as a foundation for their studies. Listeners and collectors will find this effort enriches their enjoyment of the program.
Mr. Scott's log about the related Escape series is available and highly recommended. It was published on Internet Archive in July 2020.
https://archive.org/details/EscapeLogKeithScott2020
Our gratitude goes to Mr. Scott for making this labor of love available.
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